A Response to the Progressive Christian Movement
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Daily Morning Prayer for America ā February 24, 2025
A Response to the Progressive Christian Movement
It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
~ The Book of Acts, 11:26
In one of my earliest published blogs, I explore how hitching well-understood words together like boxcars on a train purposefully hijacks our lexicon and cunningly addles essential communication. Meaning that needlessly appending an unnecessary qualifier to a well-understood word does not enhance the description of that word but rather intentionally obfuscates the original meaning.
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For example, the word justice is clearly defined, well-understood, and carries robust meaning. But ask a dozen people to define social justice and expect 13 different answers. Justice needs no concatenated descriptor when held in its original and historical meaning. Likewise, attempt to garner consensus definitions for systemic racism, climate equity, white privilege, gender-affirming, or Christian Nationalism and be prepared for quarreling and chaos ā which is precisely the aim.
This is not to say that the nature of these words does not include serious issues worthy of our attention. Still, once language has been willfully crippled, there is little hope of thoughtful communication.
There is a maniacal brilliance in scooping up the English lexicon, shaking it up in a Yahtzee cup, and splaying it across the tabletop of our culture like rock salt on ice. The result? That which was once firm and solid begins to dissipate and crack under our feet.Ā
By confusing and disabling clear thought and debate via linguistic hegemony, we are being pummeled to believe the ominous, cultural dragons that were systematically slain in past generations with great price have been hiding alive and well in plain sight all along. There is no choice but to resurrect the conversations put to grave long ago, unsheathe our swords, and begin wildly taking swipes at the mist dragons, only to realize the wounds being inflicted are not on some systemic behemoth; but upon one another.
~ Taken From Words Matter, February 2021
These overused bromides are not the language of the Kingdom of God. When I hear these boxcar phrases hissed and bandied about, I don’t hear the Shepherd’s voice but the stranger’s. Jesus tells us never to follow the stranger’s voice.
Similarly, the bundled term Progressive Christianity has been a splinter under my nail for many years for two primary reasons. First, if there was ever a word that needed no prefixed appendage, it’s Christian. Second, I believe the Progressive Christian movement is doing irreparable harm by confusing, dividing, and weakening the church.
According to Alisa Childers, Progressive Christianity has its ancestry in the Emergent Church Movement and seeks to reinterpret the Bible, reassess historical doctrines, and redefine the core tenets of the faith.
When I think of Progressive Christianity, I think of a low holding of sin and a high holding of culture. A low holding of scripture and a high holding of self-actualization. A low holding of repentance and a high holding of affirmation. A low holding of the Majesty of Christ and a high holding of the innate goodness of humanity.
Progressive Christians continually chide their orthodox brethren for being too political. However, if you remove politics from Progressive Christianity, there is little meat left on the bone. For the vast majority of progressives I follow on social media, to remove their posts on culture, politics, and ideology, their feeds would be left devoid of the greatness of God or the spread of His Kingdom here on Earth.
They will tell you that the centerpiece of their theology is love, yet when the allyship test is applied, they exhibit little restraint while hurling personal insults and vitriolic slurs at fellow believers who dare challenge their philosophies.
This may be the rare case when a prefixed qualifier helps define terms. The love of God we behold in scripture and in the life of Jesus is unconditional, sacrificial, and self-giving. Yet, progressive love, as displayed in the marketplace, is quite different. When asked what is the first and greatest progressive commandment:
Love yourself with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor for yourself.Ā
Watching the Progressive Christian movement, I see levels of activism mostly indistinguishable from secular activism. The progressive movement is fixated on social justice warring, pro-abortion (or at least a “nuanced” view which does not hold the life of the baby as tantamount), and has some allegiance with the anti-racist movement as defined by Robin DiAngelo and Ibram X Kendi.
Like secular progressives, progressive Christians fawn over climate catastrophism, defend open borders and lawlessness, and promote confused and mixed philosophies around gender and sexuality. Progressive Christianity fosters strong suspicion for historic orthodoxy and biblical inerrancy, and weak expression for glory and holiness. The movement discerns little to no understanding of the threats of Globalism, and of course, the new glue that unifies their cause is: never, ever anything Trump.
While Christianity starts with theology to formulate its politics, Progressive Christianity starts with politics and then formulates its theology around it.
Rendered to its essence, it is a brand of faith that adapts to the culture and demands the church make compromised accommodations rather than injecting into culture the transformative power of Christ.
I am not a progressive if you haven’t spotted my breadcrumbs yet. And, like many of you, I have lost friends because of it. I’ve lost decades-long friends not for anything I’ve done but for simply writing about my thoughts and convictions.
Perhaps, at times, I write with a sharp blade that can cut. Progressives write much softer, but some quills have been dipped in poison. You can always heal from a cut.
After a recent social media dust-up, I invited a combative reader to walk through a recent post I made line by line. In that particular post, I sharply criticized the Progressive Christian movement by displaying a quote from a well-known progressive pastor who regularly gets over a million views on his Tweets. Here is an excerpt of what I wrote:
Affirm LGBTQIS2S+ children, avoid any offering of rigorous counseling and healing, then attack the believers who want to protect these children from porn, hormones, and scalpels.Ā
Affirm abortion, avoid any discussion about sexual ethics or self-control, and then attack the believers who want to save the lives of the resulting innocent babies.Ā
Affirm open borders, avoid any reference or adherence to state and federal laws currently on the books, ignore the trafficking, rape, crime, embezzlement, and murders that illegal immigration causes both here and abroad, and then attack the believers who think it’s a better idea to secure the border and only allow select foreigners to enter legally.Ā
Affirm the Marxist constructs of race and equity, pretend as if the scriptures teach us to view the world through a lens of anti-racism, privilege, and oppression, and then attack the believers who are not racists and believe every person is created in the image of God.Ā
“Watch out! Beware the leaven of Herod!” ~ Mark 8:15
The reader refused to discuss with me any of these cherished platforms held by the progressives.
When I write, there are often pages of thought behind each sentence. This means that I choose my words carefully and intentionally. Over these past few years, I’ve sat down with many angry readers. After welcoming their initial emotional release and their angst is diffused, I try to walk them through what I’ve written line by line. In almost every case, they admit agreement. But they will maintain that I shouldn’t write what I write.
Many who quietly follow me have told me I must have thick skin. In some measure, it’s true, but sometimes the punch lands, and any pride in a thickened hide risks nurturing a hardened heart.
I read an inordinate amount of content that I firmly disagree with to understand better those who do. I just finished John Pavlovitz’s book, If God Is Love Don’t Be A Jerk (2021). He is a thought leader in the Progressive Christian space, so my goal was to have my footings tested, my angles trued, and my support beams exposed to the elements. The book was so abysmally disappointing that I was neither challenged nor inspired.
I would offer to let you borrow it, but each page has more handwritten notes than words from the author. But as a tasteless sampler, these are excerpts from just two pages of this book:
. . . pulpit pounding pastors who exclude, wound and do harm . . . human rights violations, overt racism and rabid nationalism . . . Franklin Graham alt-right Proud Boys, discriminatory bathroom bills, Muslim bans . . . misogyny, bigotry, homophobia . . . wall builders, transphobes, white supremacists . . . immigration and black lives matter protests . . . gun-toting preachers, damnation-wielding social media trolls and predatory presidents.
When we read the glorious Edenic account in the third chapter of Genesis, which describes the sound of the Lord moving through the Garden in the spirit-filled time of day, I don’t imagine Adam and Eve hearing any of these dulcet terms harrumphing through the Garden.
The best thing about finishing this book was my heightened eagerness to rest in the Spirit, soak in the scriptures, and steep in the writings of the Church Fathers. In other words, my mind and my heart needed a refreshing shower.
As I follow these progressive leaders, I don’t catch Christ’s aroma or the Spirit’s movement. I can’t remember a testimony of a progressive who miraculously healed someone, accurately prophesied, or cast a demon out of a tortured soul. The Gifts of the Spirit don’t make for compelling yard signs or controversial memes.
You ought to say plainly that you do not believe the gospel of Christ. For to believe what you please, and not to believe what you please, is to believe yourselves and not the gospel.
~ St. Augustine
We are Hand-wired to resonate with the eternal, surge with the supernatural, and marvel at the mystical. The progressives frequently remind us of Jesus flipping tables at the temple, but this is precisely their shortcomingāthey revel in the dusty commotion of the Outer Courts but have never been facedown in the Holy of Holies.
The Apostle Paul gives us the key to life here on Earth: Don’t you know that you are a temple of God? Western Evangelicalism places great emphasis on the externalities of our faith, which is precisely where Christ flips our precious displays. In the interior life, His love thrives, holiness resides, and union with God grows. And from that chamber of unitive exchange, we emerge back into the dusty commotion and are no longer confused about what to bless and what to cast out.
Did this article stir something in you? Share in the comments below!
Keith Guinta blogs atĀ www.winepatch.org. He is a husband and father, and he has been a worship leader and church planter.Ā Photo Credit: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89905909.
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Comments
Father I ask that by Your Spirit we would avoid falling into the ‘holier than thou’ mindset, that we would always seek to remove the log from our own eyes before taking the splinter out of another’s. Forgive us Lord for all the idols we have erected before you: America, Donald Trump, issues, culture, gifts of Your Holy Spirit, etc.. We lay it all down and put it all aside to see You, to know You, to serve and obey You. Help us to never lose our first love – the Lord Jesus Christ.
Keith, this is a powerfully written and reasoned article. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and analysis.
Rich and I have experienced those in the progressive Christianity movement who — like your critics — don’t argue the point, but assert we should just refrain from expressing our opinion, lest we make matters worse! Not sure what could be worse than a demon-hijacked compassion that leads to a toleration of sin at the expense of truth. As it is written, “Speak the truth in love.” There is no love when there is no Truth.
Blessings on you.
Well spoken, Joyce!
Brother Keith,
Is it your assignment from God to read books to understand the deceived Christians?
Did the Lord tell you to do that?
The bible has what is needed to “understand” why they believe what they do.
Most are not told to “try to understand” the ones caught in deception.
We are told to get away from it.
Are you taking in the Progressive Content because that is what He told you to do?
Because I was a progressive, and a Marxists, and into the occult and I can tell you that previous generations open the door for the next generations to be believers in those doctrines.
Those doctrines have demons attached to them. The previous generations gives access to the demons in the family line, then those demons have influence over that family until someone in the family does something about it.
The Lord has told some people to study false doctrines not to “understand the deceived”, but to learn enemy strategy and to warn the people or do some form of journalism or fight in spiritual warfare. (Prayers, petitions, intercession, declarations, etc.)
You are well meaning, but those believing this stuff are under a demonic influence. It really is that simple.
When we believe a lie, we open ourselves for the enemy.
We have to be on guard and keep ourselves pure (believing God, not in our own ways) and not in a form of deception in our own lives.
We have to learn God’s strategies, not to do what we think is best. God’s ways are higher.
We were told that we would do what Jesus did and more than that.
So…we have to do that.
Trying to understand the deceived is how man would deal with it.
Doctrines of demons….demonic activity…demons having rights in the lives of individuals due to generaltion and self-inflicted/involvement in sin.
It is this simple.
Deception, access, influence.
The Father, The Word (The Son) and The Holy Spirit are the solution and our partnership with them and doing things THEIR way is the solution.
Bless you, Keith, for taking the time to write this excellent article!
Lord, we pray for those who care enough for their secular friends and family that they bend Your truth to be liked. May they care enough to share the true Gospel and be content if their friends and family exercise their free will to reject it. May the true Gospel flourish and attract true disciples who make true disciples!
Thank you Keith for this well-researched article. You bring much clarity to the Christian on how to repond to these “progressive” positions. I just read a Pew Report that says the years-long decline in Americans identifying as Christians is leveling off at 62%,. But living here in New England many of those claiming Christianity may fall into St. Augustine’s definition — believing in yourself, your pleasures and doctrines and not the one, true gospel. We must pray for these churches and their apostate pastors. More pitied than scorned. I can only imagine their utter despair beofre the throne when Christ says to them, “depart from me I never knew you.”
Jesus warns His followers to ” Watch for “false prophets” ( Mt 7:15-20) and āthat no one deceives you..” ( Mt 24:4-13). In essence do we just accept everything (culture wants)or do we test everything ( as the Bible directs; I Thessalonians 5:21) ? The choice is ours…
Excellent article in exposing the rotten fruit of the progressive influence & world view!
I’m very concerned about our country.
I always refer to what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah.
But a lot of people continue to stay blind and deaf.
Those who contribute to divide the Church and American people must not forget that they are watched by the Almighty.
Their deeds cannot be hidden, and of course they can’t escape the Lord’s judgment.
May the Lord be merciful with us and with our country.
May the Lord guide us to do Lord’s will.
In the Almighty Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
Bless you and Thank-you for standing with scripture! God and His Word is our final authority!
Hi Megan,
Making America Great Again helps all peoples, both here and abroad. When America is strong so is the world. Progressive Christianity is not what the Church of Christ called for in the Churches Magisterium. Our first Pope of the Church outlined this very well and gave what shall be in Jesusā Bride, the Catholic Church. After all, thatās how Christianity began, in the Catholic Church.
There is nothing wrong with turning in to take care of deeply rooted problems in America. Doing this will help all others. The wars happening now should never have happened. Russia was embolden by the weaknesses in America and lack of true leadership. Ukraine could never win and we all knew this. Thousands more would have died and war finance would
Have run out. However we must end these wars, let us do it and worry about saving face and pride later. For all these things have been and are created because of and from pride and presumption. That is how Adam and Eve died in sin and what we still all follow.
Be careful of the deadly serpent always slithering around looking for its next preyā¦
Yes and amen, Keith. I’m thankful that your extensive and accurate lexicon is not used to obfuscate meaning but to share the unadulterated Truth of God’s Word.
God provides the meaning for the words used in the Scriptures, if we will but trust in the revelation of Holy Spirit and the whole counsel of His Word. Any attempt on our part to redefine those words, may appear in the beginning to be only slightly off the correct compass heading – but will result in major deviation eventually and catastrophe. Case in point – the word love! Yeshua boiled down the law and prophets to “Love God” and “Love your neighbor”. . . which pointed back to the 10 Words, easily divided into a segment re: loving God and a segment re: loving your neighbor . . . which pointed back to the approximate number of 613 mishpat in the Torah, easily divided into exactly how to love God, and how to love your neighbor. And then He added motive and intent to the actions required in Torah. If you fail to define love the way He did, you end up with what I would prefer to call “degressive or regressive non-Christianity”.
Ever notice that truth always offends those caught in deception, and deception always righteously offends those who value and live truth. May we accurately understand which reason we are being offended, and respond correctly if correction comes from Holy Spirit.
Your article was written extensively well! Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your life, thoughts and writings. This article reads simple and insightful. You truly have a gift helping me understand that progressive movement and know how to pray. Thank you again!!
I totally agree with the writer and you are not responding in kind. You are more like Titus and need to deal with some lazy gluttons in the church. Also your a good writer, thank you Jesus
May Lord Yahweh arise and His enemies be scattered. Lord of mercy, seek and save the lost. Shut the mouth of the deceiver. Make Your Word be heard and plain to see. May Your Truth set enslaved people free. What is not from You, may it come to nothing quickly. Give power to overcome to those who believe Jesus is the Son of God. Again Father, speak to Your children; let us hear Your Voice of Truth and go and make disciples as Jesus said to do. May the Word of Christ dwell in us richly. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Thank you for this well written piece. It gives us much food for thought! We know how important it is to pray for the Body of Christ – the Church. One important reason is so we will not be deceived with a false gospel especially as the end grows near. Dear Lord let us have Your mind and always desire Your ways above all else.
Another bullseye well written article Keith! Thank you!
This article from Keith Guinta was so on target yet with humility. I was brought to tears With his wisdom of articulating his thoughts and deep insights as well as knowledge on the what the truth of the subject behind progressive Christianity. I applaud Mr. Guinta for his bold and brave stance on the truth of True Christianity in Christ Jesus. He is like Daniel in the lions den. Oh Lord bless and protect him just as You did Daniel.
P.S this is the first time Iāve ever heard of you. I will be keeping you in prayer
Congratulations on this well thought-out, well crafted and timely article.
We increase the value of Christianity when we remove unnecessary and damaging predicates.
Nothing more than satan masquerading ads an angel of light and trying to sow discord in the body of Christ. Lord Jesus, You have a holy remnant of true believers in our nation and world. I pray that none of us will be deceived by this trickery and deception. Help us to live our lives in this truth. May the truth set us free. Thank you, Jesus.
Great article. I believe you hit the nail on the head. Anytime you try to rewrite or add words like “progressive” you are doing exactly what Jesus Preached Not to Do ! you become Divisive and a house divided can’t stand. He specifically said to root out such people because they Destroy , they are not Unifier’s ! It’s a Communist tactic a play on words.
God’s Word stand’s on its own..
Evil people doing Evil things in the Dark
Fantastic article exposing the dangers of progressive Christianity, and the myths upon which it is built!
Thank you, Mr. Guinta, for using your God-given abilities to put into words the thoughts swirling in the minds of many Believers.
May the Lord continue to use you, to bless us through your obedience, and to protect you and your family.
Such an important article. Thank you for your wounds sustained in order to be able to articulate this with such clarity and charity.
Finally, a clarification of progressive Christianity, if the latter term ever applies. I find these āfriendsā generally are arrogant, demeaning, and intolerant toward those who disagree with them.
WOW- WHAT A MASTER OF WORDS–I GET IT -The Gospel is all about simplicity-and
our Heart tward God.
Acts 11:26 says, …”they were first called Christians in Antioch.” “Christian” means little Christ. Heb 7:26 says that Christ is “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” 2 Tim 3:12 says “All who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Therefore, I test one whom I regard as “lightly touching Christ” by the question, “Have you ever been persecuted for your faith as yet?”
I felt this article was bereft of love & more about oneās ego.
May God continue to bless you and guide your work.
Outstanding. Thank you Keith for this article
God of all creation, move in the hearts of those being deceived by the Liar, the enemy of precious souls. Cause each person to want to compare what is being taught with the true Word of God. Tear down every false idol. Save these deceived souls for Your glory.
And, Father, minister to Keith Guinta’s heart as he does the hard things I never want to do – read things with which I don’t agree, or things that tear at my soul. Send him fresh rivers of living water to satisfy his thirsty soul. Bless him. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Beautiful reply. Thank you for saying this for all of us
Thank you Allena for responding as I would.
Father, thank you for intercessors who pray and those who answer Your call to go deeper to help understand the anger and confusion around us.. Please guard over Keith and give him the spiritual strength to root out false “truths” on behalf of many prayer warriors. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Such a clear statement of contrast between true and false gospel. Well- written, uplifting truth about the cut and paste lies strung together by progressive people posing as angels of light as they cast nets of darkness that is their doctrine.
Thank you for what you have written, the dens you dare to penetrate with the light of the true gospel of our Lord and SaviorJesus.
Be encouraged as you have encouraged us.
I am so glad that you have taken this stand! The article I think has one part that should have been edited. Itās the part that says progressive Christianāsā first commandment is to love themselves. Itās true, but if I share this with the progressive Christians that I know they will stop and double down right there.
We love IFA! We attended your conference in Grand Rapids last spring and totally loved it!
Oh that I could share this with my āProgressiveā Christian son and have it transform his thinking!!
Iām grateful for the clarity and truth you bring!
Oh Lord, open their eyes to Truth!!!
Thanks for the expose. Itās hard to believe that this is actually called any kind of Christianity. I knew the politics of all these issues was bad but to think itās actually called Christian is amazing. Another sad example of the result of not knowing the word of God and respecting its authority and authenticity.
What a ridiculously worded statement which makes little sense.
AMEN!
WELL said, Keith!!
Thank you!!